Where to drink Negroni in Hong Kong, the best bar in Hong Kong to drink Negroni

Over a century ago, Count Camillo Negroni of Florence, Italy, invented the bittersweet Negroni. Today, the Italian aperitif is more popular than ever, with a week dedicated to it.

Made with gin, vermouth and Campari, this deep red cocktail is a little hard to get used to, but it dominates bars around the world. In Hong Kong, it’s hard to find a cocktail bar that doesn’t serve up a classic Negroni, or at least a specialty Negroni. From September 18 to 24, more than 100 dining venues in Hong Kong will be participating in the 11th anniversary of Negroni Week, so you’ll have plenty of Negronis to try. For more information on the event, visit this link .

If you want to try a Negroni, it won’t be hard to find one, as the city has a wide variety of Negronis to choose from, but finding the perfect Negroni is another story altogether. To help you narrow your search, we've listed our favorite bars in the city that serve this bitter aperitif well. Whether you're looking for a classic or innovative Negroni, these bars make legendary Negronis that last even after Negroni Week.

The best bars in Hong Kong for a Negroni

Argo



Argo, the innovative bar at Four Seasons, is one of our go-to bars for an authentic Negroni. The bar serves the XO Negroni ($170), a strong and smoky drink made with mezcal, XO-infused vermouth (made with Lung King Heen’s (the Four Seasons’ three-Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant) famous vegetarian XO sauce Campari and Aperol and chocolate bitters). During Negroni Week, Argo will be offering two Negroni flavours in addition to the XO Twist, with recipes from its sister bars Copitas (Bangalore) and Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur).

25:00



For an interesting Negroni, head to Twenty Fifth Hour, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar on Stanley Street, located above Luk Yu Tea House, one of Hong Kong’s oldest restaurants. Order a Negroni cocktail that’s not on the menu, called The Gentleman ($138), a smoked Negroni made with coffee bean-infused rum, Campari, vermouth, dark cocoa, and smoked with tobacco. During Negroni Week, they’re offering three cocktails, including the Tropic Dawn ($148), made with white rum infused with coconut oil. This cocktail will transport you to a tropical destination with flavors of mango, chili, and Thai lime.

Balion



Lorenzo Antinori's Italian bar Bar Leone on Bridges Street always serves up an excellent Negroni. Go for the classic or try something different, like a coffee-flavored Negroni. Our favorite is the Yuzu Bianco ($130), a satisfying white Negroni with a hint of grapefruit that's smooth and punchy. The bar is also hosting an official closing party for Negroni Week on September 24. Follow their Instagram for the latest.

Tell Camellia



Tell Camellia is known for serving signature tea cocktails, and one of our favorite tea negronis in town is their Darjeeling Negroni. This season, they’ve introduced the Darjeeling Negroni 2.0 ($138). In addition to using Darjeeling tea-infused gin, vermouth, and Campari, they’ve also added tea chocolate from local chocolatier Conspiracy Chocolate to make the drink even more delicious. For Negroni Week, Tell Camellia is also introducing a floral Jasmine Tea Negroni ($130), made with Campari and jasmine tea-infused gin and red vermouth.

Caprice Bar



The Caprice Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is known for its luxurious lounge where you can sip French wines. The bar also offers its own interpretation of the classic Italian aperitif. The bar regularly features a modified version of Boulevardier, Air de Province ($220), which mixes Bulleit Bourbon, Campari, Mattei vermouth and lavender. During Negroni week, patrons can indulge in other versions of the cocktail, such as the Apricot ($220), which features gin infused with dried apricots, Campari and vermouth red; or the Root ($220), an earthy and spicy Negroni made with butter fat-washed rum, Campari, vermouth red and galangal.

Black Pill



Cocktail and music lounge Kuromaru is the place to go for soju-based concoctions. During Negroni Week, the team at Kuromaru will be creating special cocktails like the Roasted Negroni ($150), a nutty take on the barley soju, sesame-infused gin and creme de cocoa. If you’re still getting used to the strong flavors of Negronis, the bar also offers the Black Tea Americano ($150), a lighter, carbonated drink made with sweet potato soju, citric acid solution, Earl Grey liqueur and homemade black tea soda.

Vista



Aqua Restaurant Group’s Italian restaurant Vista, in partnership with Campari, will be the focal point of Negroni Week. An exclusive kick-off party for Negroni Week will take place at Vista on September 18, marking the start of celebrations in Hong Kong. In addition to panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, guests can enjoy an authentic Italian aperitivo experience, including a variety of Negroni cocktails from the Eight Shades of Red menu, including their Nitro-Negroni gelato.

Aubrey



Aubrey Bar’s head bartender Devender Sehgal is an expert on the Negroni. Many of his customers sampled his creations when he was managing the Italian restaurant 8 1/2 Otto E Mezzo Bombana. At Aubrey Bar, his Negronis are now infused with a Japanese twist. Their cocktail menu is a playful exploration of the world of soju, featuring a signature floral Negroni called Torii ($160), made with sweet potato soju, red vermouth, Campari, and Amontillado sherry. During Negroni Week, the bar crafts a variety of Italian cocktails, such as the Bitter Sweet Symphony ($178), made with Shiratake Kume Soju, Nikka Gin, Ratafia Rossi, ice wine, orange bitters, and topped with a fresh cherry.

8½ Otto and Middle Pombana



While most are known for their fine Italian cuisine, this Michelin-starred restaurant also features a cozy lounge and bar area where patrons can enjoy cocktails and aperitifs. The restaurant’s signature Negroni is aptly named the 8½ Negroni ($200), which includes orange, grapefruit, and Barolo Chinato, a fortified liquor made with various herbs such as cinchona bark and cloves. In addition to the classic Negroni, the bar also offers the Oolong Negroni ($200), a take on the classic cocktail that adds four-season oolong tea and honey, and the spicy Jalapeno Negroni ($200) for those who like a little kick in their drinks.

Scary baby



If you happen to be in Jordan, Eaton Hong Kong's flagship bar, Terrible Baby, is the best place to go during Negroni Week. They offer four different Negroni variations to suit all tastes. You can try the classic Negroni recipe, an Americano with passion fruit flavour, and our personal favourite, the tropical Terrible Baby Negroni riff, Thyme for Buko ($100). This variation is made with thyme-infused gin, coconut-infused Campari, Cinzano 1757 and chilli bitters. The coconut-flavoured Negroni is aged in young coconut shells, making for a smooth and easy-to-drink cocktail.

DarkSide



Rosewood Hong Kong’s DarkSide’s latest cocktail menu, “90s Classics,” curates lesser-known cocktails from the 90s and transforms them into sophisticated cocktails that still carry a nostalgic feel. On the menu is the Rosita ($170), a tequila-based Negroni cocktail that includes Mancino Secco vermouth, Riesling and peach bitters. For Negroni Week, the bar offers four Negroni cocktails, including the Ume ($170), a plum wine-based drink with rum, chocolate-infused Campari, vermouth and myrrh drops, served in a glass rimmed with dehydrated Campari.

Mostly Harmless



As long as the ingredients are behind the bar, Ezra Star can make just about any good drink at her Omakase Cocktail Bar. Ask her to make you a Negroni based on your favorite flavors and you won’t be disappointed. While you’re there, be sure to check out the latest creations from her seasonal menu.

Babu Onasera



The Japanese-style Bar Buonasera serves up classic craft cocktails, and the Negroni is just one of the many classic drinks you can order. There are plenty of spirits on the menu, so you can choose the base you want for your Negroni. Try Boulevardier and choose a whiskey from their large selection, which includes spirits from Scotland and Japan.

The Wise King



At award-winning bar The Wise King, the Negroni is made to perfection. Order a classic Negroni or one of their Negroni Week specials, which often include Negroni recipes from award-winning bars around the world.

Mizunara: Library



If you're in Wan Chai and want to try this bitter aperitif, then Japanese bar Mizunara is the place to go. Order a Boulevardier, as the main focus here is whiskey. However, since they specialize in classic cocktails, you won't be disappointed with the perfectly stirred Negroni made with other bases. You can always choose the bottle you want to use, whether it's gin or top-notch liquor. Just indicate your preference and their talented bartenders will mix it for you.